Through the first six games of the season, the Cleveland Browns defense has been one of the team’s bright spots.
The team is seventh overall in the NFL, giving up just a shade over 300 yards a game, is giving up a decent 20.8 points per game, and after so many years of not being able to stop the run has finally been solid against the rush, giving up just under 100 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry.
But we can’t help but wonder if it is time to start worrying a little bit about the defense.
Most (all?) of the focus has been on the offense and specifically the quarterback situation. That won’t change anytime soon – certainly not this season – but that doesn’t mean the defense should be let off the hook.
The Browns are 2.5 point home dogs this week against a team that will have - at best - a limited Calvin Johnson. And without Calvin, that team is not good.
INT. DINER - WEEKDAY AFTERNOON
After a 10-day layoff, the first place Cleveland Browns return to action on Sunday as they host the Detroit Lions.
In Cleveland, we like our left tackles. It’s one small portion of our professional football tradition, a fun facet of our sports culture. That one position on the Browns’ roster has embodied excellence, tradition, and our blue-collar work ethic. Its history serves as a connection for us, to when our town dominated the sport.